2. Shaytan works by making tricks on us. Just look at the choice of words he used to deceive Adam and Hawwa. He wouldn’t say directly to disobey Allah. He used the name of Allah to swear, he promised that the tree is of eternity and immortality (human’s weakness). Shaytan knows our weakness, whatmore after thousands of years of experience and he will work around it.

3. Quickly ask for forgiveness (repent) when we have sinned for Allah loves that and Allah is AlGhafur and Arrahim. Allah is merciful. Never forget to repent.
4. The difference between Prophet Adam. a.s. and Shaytan being asked to leave heaven is that Prophet Adam was sincerely sorry for what he had done and asked for repentance whereas Shaytan was still arrogant and in fact blamed Allah for him being astray.

5. Let us be the one who always ask for Allah’s forgiveness and not that like Shaytan who refuse and remain arrogant.

Some questions

1.)A long, long time ago, before people, before dinosaurs, before the earth, what was there?

ALLAH

2.) What are some creations of Allah(swt) before people?

The earth, jinns and angels.

3.) Allah created man. Who was the first man?

Adam

4.) Why did Allah(swt) order the angels to bow down to Adam?

As a form of respect

5.) Who refused? WHy?

Iblis. Iblis thinks he is better than Adam because he is made from fire and Adam was made from clay.

6.) Who is Iblis?

He is shaitan/satan. he was a Jinn.

7.)Allah made a woman. who was she?

Hawwa. (**note to children: Christians call her Eve)

8.) Adam and Hawwa allowed themselves to be tricked by Iblis. What was their punishment? They were placed out of paradise and put on the earth.

9.) How did Adam feel? He was very sorry and repented.

10.) Do we think that Allah(swt) would forgive him? Of course! Allah (swt) is the Most Merciful!

11.) Iblis vowed : Iblis) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” What does this mean? It means he is going to do his best to make people do bad things so they can be punished in hell.

And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations (vicegerent) on earth.” They said: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, – while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You.” He (Allâh) said: “I know that which you do not know.” (30)

And He taught Adam all the names (of everything) [], then He showed them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.” (31)

This Ayah refers to the names of in-animate bodies, animals, plants, angels, and means of technology…etc, for example, the sea contains fish and the fishnet should be thrown in the sea in a certain way to catch fish. Then, you should rub two stones together to produce fire, so that you can grill fish and eat it. This seed is called ‘wheat.’ You can plant it in the soil until the rain falls and the seed grows to be a plant.

Adam (AS) was not just a pious man; he was also knowledgeable in the matters of the universe. Allah (SWT) taught him the names because He destined him to be a vicegerent on earth. Accordingly, he should be experienced in earthly matters. How could he be a vicegerent on earth if he was a failure?

They (angels) said: “Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.” (32)

He said: “O Adam! Inform them of their names,” and when he had informed them of their names, He said: “Did I not tell you that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing?” (33)

CREATION OF HAWWA
O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)[]. Surely, Allâh is Ever an All¬Watcher over you. (1)

ABOUT SHAYTAN’s WHISPERS and DECEPTION

In Surat Al-A’râf (the Heights) verse 19, Allah says what can be translated as, “And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zâlimûn (unjust and wrong-doers).” (TMQ, 7:19).

Then Satan whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: Your Lord forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals.<(TMQ, 7:20).

In Surat Taha the Shaytan said to Adam what can be translated as, "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?" (TMQ, 20:120)

The following verse from Surat Al-A'râf, "And he (Shaytân) swore by Allah to them both that he was their sincere adviser.” (TMQ, 7:21)

So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaitân (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?" (7:22)

ABOUT ADAM’s REPENTANCE

In Surah Al Baqarah mentions Al Baqarah 2:35-37
And We said: “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers).” (35)

Then the Shaitân (Satan) made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: “Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time.” (36) Then Adam received from his Lord Words . And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful (37)

In Aaraf 7:23

They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (23)

H was excited reading this ayah. Somehow he noticed this verse in the nasheed “If you ask me by Yusuf Islam.”. So I have printed this out and he has memorised it. It’s a wonderful doa for all of us.

In Taha 2:122

Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance (122)

ABOUT ADAM AND HAWWA WERE SENT DOWN TO EARTH

Aaraf 7:38

We said: “Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve (38)

Taha 20:123

He (Allâh) said:”Get you down (from the Paradise to the earth), both of you, together, some of you are an enemy to some others. Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance he shall neither go astray, nor shall be distressed. (123)

Baqarah 2:38

We said: “Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve (38)

Read Al Baqarah 2:32-38

And then we watched a video of Yusuf Estes narrating the story of Prophet Adam in the Peace TV series. Somegow I can’t put it up here for some reason. But you can go and watch it HERE.

Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad’s SAW) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- Al-Harâm (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka’bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allâh is not unaware of what they do. (144)

Allah says in the Quran that our Qiblah is the masjidil Haram that is the Kaabah in Makkah.

ACTIVITY 1

Where is kaabah?

Kaabah is in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Print a world map.

Point to where Makkah is and mark it

Point where Qtar is and mark it.

Draw a straight line (use a ruler) from Qtar to Makkah.

Then point to Malaysia . And make another straight line to Makkah.

Then talk about how Muslims around the world face the same qiblah when they pray.

Mark familiar places

Oman

London, UK

Antartica

Japan

South Africa

Canada

Argentina

Draw straight lines and arrow indicating the direction from the respective countries to Makkah. Insya Allah they will get the point.

The children, including Z were most excited doing this exercise. It’s a practice of knowing the orientation of a country. And they were racing each other to find a country mentioned.

ACTIVITY 2

Use the qiblah compass to show them how to find the qiblah when we are at a new place. Get them to read the coordinate points of different countries and how to use the values to find the qiblah. This is a very useful gadget to have especially when we travel.

ACTIVITY 3

Introducing the concept of North, East, West and South.

Remind them where does the sun rise? Where does the sun set?

If we are outside, in the dunes for example, and we do not have the Qiblah compass, and come prayer time (Remember solah is compulsory wherever we are!), how do we gauge where the direction is?

First look at the map. Look at the location of Makah in relative to Doha. Makkah is approximately South West from D0ha.

We must always be aware of our our position on earth relative to Makkah.

DO YOU KNOW THAT THE KAABAH HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN OUR QIBLAH?

When Mohammad s.a.w. became prophet he prayed towards Bayt Al Maqdis.

ACTIVITY 4

Using the Saudi Arabia map, point to where Jurusalem where Bayt Al Maqdis is

Our Qiblah did not start off with the Kaabah. It was the Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) first then Allah change it to Kaabah.

ACTIVITY

First look for Jerusalem on the map. Draw a line from Makkah to Jerusalem. This map will help explain the orientation of Jerusalem relative to Makkah and also the orientation of Madinah.

Prophet Muhammad when he was praying in his years in Makkah, he used to pray facing the Kaabah but towards Jurusalem, bayt Al-Maqdis. When he made hijrah, he pray also to Bayt Al Maqdis but he had to back the Kaabah. Muhammad s.a.w. had wished that he would face the Kaabah, the Qiblah of Ibrahim, again. Prophet Muhammad used to supplicate to Allah and look at the sky, waiting for Allah’s command. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). He was keen on the change but dared not request.

The Jews also used the fact that Muslims adopted their own holy city (Jews consider Jurusalem to be their holy city) as theirqiblahto claim that Judaism was the religion of truth and that Muhammad and his companions adopt Judaism, instead of calling on the Jews to accept Islam.

Then Allah revealed ayah Al Baqarah 2:144.

Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad’s SAW) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- Al-Harâm (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka’bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allâh is not unaware of what they do. (144)

Imam Bukhari reported that Al Bara’ bin ‘Azib narrated

The Prophet prayed facing Bait-ulmaqdis (i.e. Jerusalem) for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that his Qibla would be the Ka’ba (at Mecca). (So Allah Revealed (2.144) and he offered ‘Asr prayers(in his Mosque facing Ka’ba at Mecca) and some people prayed with him. A man from among those who had prayed with him, went out and passed by some people offering prayer in another mosque, and they were in the state of bowing. He said, “I, (swearing by Allah,) testify that I have prayed with the Prophet facing Mecca.” Hearing that, they turned their faces to the Ka’ba while they were still bowing.

The Jews in Madinah countered with a sustained campaign of criticism. Their new campaign sought to create doubts in the minds of Muslims as to the basis of their own religion.

These are among what they argued

If it was right, the Jews argued, that the Muslims should formerly face Jerusalem in their Prayers, then the new direction is wrong.

They also told the Muslims:“Your Prayers from now on would then be of no value. If, on the other hand, the new direction is right and the Kabah is the trueqiblah, then your Prayers in the past were in vain.”

The Jews also argued that God, the Lord Who knows all, does not change His instructions in that manner. The change clearly showed, the Jews went on, that Muhammad did not really receive any revelation from God.

Reassurance was needed and was, indeed, provided in a long passage in the Quran, which runs from verse 106 to verse 150 in thesurahentitled Al-Baqarah.

Also in the same hadith as the above..

Reported by Imam Bukhari

..Some Muslims who offered prayer towards the previous Qiblah (Jerusalem) before it was changed towards the House (the Ka`bah in Makkah) had died or had been martyred, and we did not know what to say about them (regarding their prayers towards Jerusalem). Allah then revealed Al Baqarah 2:143:

Thus We have made you [true Muslims – real believers of Islâmic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction towards Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the Messenger). Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allâh guided. And Allâh would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem). Truly, Allâh is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind. (143)

And to Allâh belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn (yourselves or your faces) there is the Face of Allâh (and He is High above, over His Throne). Surely! Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing. (115)

Also read Al BAqarah 2: 148-152

The change of Qiblah is a test for those who believe. the Arabs, even though they were pagans before Islam, still perform traditional prayer ritual towards the Kaabah. Unfortunately mostly have taken up to worshiping idols.

Kaabah is highly revered among the Arabs. It is a symbol of national glory. It is a factor that pull all the Arab tribes together.

Thus it was a test of true submission towards Allah when they were asked to pray towards Jerusalem initially. The sahabahs need to abandon former loyalties and tribal racial. hence the need to separate worship from traditional practice of the Kaabah.

After Hijrah however, the Muslims were taught to see Kaabah in a different light, unlike the idol practice and national pride that they had before. Then only they were asked to face Kaabah. Having purification of the Muslim’s heart by them giving full submission to Allah’s command, they are then directed to face their distinctive Qiblah, the Kaabah, the first house of worship ever built. (reference

The revelation to change the qiblah was sent down when Mohammad saw was in a masjid now called Masjid Qiblatain, meaning the masjid of two qiblahs. Masjid al Qiblatain (or the Mosque with two Qiblas), is situated in Madinah, a few kilometres from Masjid an-Nabi. It is one of the oldest Mosques in the world, and uniquely contains thus two mihrabs – one in the direction of bait al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), and the other towards Makkah.

This story might be heavy for the younger children. These notes are only for my guideline. Like any story, narrate them according to their level. For S (who is seven), I only told her that our qiblah used to be facing the masjidil Aqsa, I showed her a picture of the sacred mosque and shoqed her on the map where Jerusalem is.

I tell a bit more to H (he is ten). But did tell him in a simplified manner that the directions are a test to the early muslims.